Sticking with the Good-For-You Choices

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveV8Protein #CollectiveBias

I did it. I finally accomplished a huge milestone that many moms strive to achieve after having a baby. I am down to my pre-baby weight! Just wait, it gets better. Yesterday when I got on the scale not only had I maintained my pre-baby weight but I actually weighed less than before getting pregnant with Lola. You know I totally did a happy dance after seeing those numbers. But with the holidays here and the delicious temptations everywhere I turn, I need to figure out a way to stay on the right tracks. Even the past few days have been a little rough on my diet. I'm not denying myself from all sweet treats and indulgences, but I need limit myself because as much as I want six cookies, I don't need six cookies. So here are three things I plan on doing this holiday season to stay healthy.

1. Drink WaterWhen I was nursing and pumping for Lola I drank over 90 oz of water a day no problem. Lately my water intake has seriously been lacking. I find that when I don't drink enough water my head will hurt and I tend to snack more often because my body thinks that is is hungry when in reality it is just dehydrated. So my Camelbak straw water bottle will be at my hip from now until the end of the holidays so I remember to sip, sip, sip my water!

2. Continue Weekly Exercise RoutinesLast week when I was on Thanksgiving break I worked out six out of the seven days. However, I know the next three weeks that I am working will bring on major fatigue and tiredness so my goal is to workout four to five times a week. Some people think I'm crazy but I set my alarm and get up at 5:15 to get my workouts in for the day. If I don't do it in the morning, it most likely won't get done. Between dinner, two (most of the time tired and cranky) kids and the preparations that I need to do for the next day, my evenings just don't allow myself time to get in my workouts. Therefore not only is it my goal to keep up my workouts but to get up in the mornings and start my day off with a good sweat. Honestly it is a matter of of just getting out of bed to do it because once I do, I am so glad that I made myself do it! Mind over matter my friends.

3. Choosing Healthy Snacking Options

This is an area that can be the hardest for me, so on a recent trip to Walmart I decided to look to see what snack options were available. I knew I wanted a product that was full of healthy ingredients as well as lots of protein and fiber. So I ventured on over to the health and beauty aisle to check out the different brands of shakes and bars. Immediately my eye was drawn to the new V8 Protein products. I grew up loving V8 as a kid - my mom used to buy me the little cans to drink with my breakfast, so I knew it was a product I that would easily accommodate my busy daily routines. There were several bar and shake options to choose from - six different flavor options between both the shakes and bars! As I read the label on the side of the box I noticed that these V8 Protein products contain 12 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. That was super appealing and I knew it would be ideal in helping me stay full yet letting me keep up my energy for my busy days. The V8 protein bars and shakes are perfect to throw into my school bag as my good-for-you snack choice when I start to hit that slump or see a tray of holiday cookies in the teachers lounge.

I refuse to let those numbers on the scale rise during the holidays this year. I'm determined to keep my goals and feel good about myself this holiday season. V8 Protein bars and shakes offer so many great flavors I will be able to have my little indulgences everyday! I guess I won't need to make a healthy lifestyle a resolution for the new year - because I will already be doing it!

What things do you do during the holidays to resist overindulging on temptations?

I'm Kait, the mom to three of the cutest kids you have ever seen, Cohen, Lola and Remy. I love all things pink, iced coffee and a good run outside. When I grow up I want to be Kate Middleton or on a season of The Real Housewives. And if that doesn't work out, I'm okay playing mom to my littles in my suburban Indiana home.